Albertsons and Safeway store closings? (Scottsdale, Chandler: real estate, neighborhood, luxury)

[vince3vince]

With the merger becoming official with the start of the year, will any of these stores end up closing due to close proximity? I frequent a safeway on FLW and given there is an albertsons a mile up FLW, was curious if they will close. Are the names changing as well or will they still operate under the Safeway business model?

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by vince3vince

With the merger becoming official with the start of the year, will any of these stores end up closing due to close proximity? I frequent a safeway on FLW and given there is an albertsons a mile up FLW, was curious if they will close. Are the names changing as well or will they still operate under the Safeway business model?

That Albertson's appears to be closing just based on the lack of updates to the store. It doesn't look like they've invested in it in a loooong time. I have no use for it. On the other hand, the Safeway on FLW and TPP was recently updated. That's a great store.

[Pink Jazz]

There is also an Albertsons and a Safeway across from each other on Power Road, with Albertsons on the Gilbert side and Safeway on the Queen Creek side. I have been to both stores, and it does seem that Safeway is the busier of the two. Plus, that particular Safeway has a gas station, while Albertsons has sold its gas station to Valero. However, with the exception of the gas station, that particular Safeway still has the old serif logo with red letters, rather than the current sans-serif logo with black letters.

Perhaps Fry's may show interest in acquiring the Albertson's site if Safeway is the surviving store. Basha's is unlikely as there is one down the road at Power and Chandler Heights. Don't think Food City will open a store there either, as it isn't a Hispanic-concentrated area. Perhaps a luxury grocer such as Whole Foods may show interest as well.

[vince3vince]

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

That Albertson's appears to be closing just based on the lack of updates to the store. It doesn't look like they've invested in it in a loooong time. I have no use for it. On the other hand, the Safeway on FLW and TPP was recently updated. That's a great store.

yeah that Albertsons is disgusting. I would like to see them close and something else move in.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by vince3vince

yeah that Albertsons is disgusting. I would like to see them close and something else move in.

Yeah it's gross. It's nice to see the neighborhood Basha's get a much needed facelift and more importanly, self-scan checkouts.

I wonder what could go in the Albertson's space.

[SK115]

Also in Scottsdale, there is an Albertson's on Hayden and Indian Bend, and a Safeway two miles south on Hayden at Chaparral. That Albertson's seems like a time warp, although it does have nice parasols in the parking lot.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by vince3vince

yeah that Albertsons is disgusting. I would like to see them close and something else move in.

Closing stores is likely one of the main reasons for the merger. Usually there is a real estate component that makes the money in this kind of deal. They sell the underperforming stores and profit off the real estate. A great example of this was Kmart's acquisition of Sears. It was basically a real estate deal.

[Pink Jazz]

Whichever stores close, perhaps Fry's and Basha's might look at acquiring some stores if there isn't a location nearby. Luxury grocers such as Whole Foods may show interest as well.

I wonder though, perhaps Publix should consider entering the Arizona market by acquiring some former Albertsons/Safeway sites? I know they are mostly concentrated in the southeastern United States, however, it would be interesting to see how they do in Arizona outside their turf.

[grmi66]

Not going to be sad to see any of their stores close. Can't remember the last time I shopped at either store and not left irritated. The Safeway that I stop into that's a block away from work still doesn't have a self check lane. Hate having one item and having to stand in a line that's 6-7 people deep because they refuse to open more cash registers. Plus hate knowing that I'm paying a third more than I would at Fry's.

[AZgarden]

Winco is building a brand new store next to Kohls on Arizona Ave and the 202. When I asked the Kohls clerk what that was, she said "it's a winkies store" and I said ok, whatever. Now I can have another choice besides the Frys, Walmart, and Albertsons all in the vicinity.